Chapter 4
Harry woke up refreshed and for the first time since he arrived in this world he felt truly warm. The celtic knot beneath him was glowing red and giving off a gentle heat he was almost lulled back to sleep but he forced himself to stand. Walking out of the cave he was amazed by the site that greeted him. The fiery magic blessed by Brigit had laid claim to the land, melting ice and snow calming the sea and sky and giving the greenery a brighter healthier shade. The air smelled pleasant like moss and earth and no longer did the befouling smells of cold and death accost him. "Well what do you think Stonefist?" Harry asked, walking towards where he had left the blackened skull. "I never thought such a place could exist in the true north my friend." StoneFist replied "However now that it does you must be prepared to defend it" Harry hummed in agreement gazing around his freshly made paradise. "I was thinking much of the same thing I need to build a mighty stone wall and perhaps a great tower too I heard wizards live in them" StoneFist stared bewildered or as bewildered as a skull can look at the young wizard in front of him. "You heard wizards live in such things. What's that supposed to mean?, I was under the impression that you are a wizard." "Well yes I am but it is a more recent state of affairs I've only been too two proper wizard homes one was a tower and the other originally made to house pigs" Harry replied nonchalantly. The chief resignedly sighed, "Blasted wizards I thought greenseers and wargs were a strange lot but you outdo even them." Harry laughed "do not worry StoneFist I will make something for you to be proud of and I promise there shall be no moving staircases or talking mirrors." StoneFist spluttered "I didn't know that's something you can even do." Harry laughed even harder, deciding to end StoneFist's torment and moved on to a different topic. "You have told me much about the history of this place and the wider world that you know of but what about the free folk. Who can I expect to treat me amicably and who must I prepare to come to blows with." StoneFist replied calmly but a little half heartedly as well. "I have been putting that topic off because truthfully I know very little. The free folk migrate regularly and different tribes and warbands form and disperse regularly even in the course of my lifetime only a few things remained constant. Among the Free Folk only three things can really be relied on: Thenns, cannibals, and kings-beyond-the-wall.
The Thenns are proudest of all in the true north. They live far to the north in hidden valleys where it is said they forge bronze and farm too. They are ruled by a Magnar who is revered by their people as more gods than men. They speak the old tongue of the Firstmen and keep regular contact with the giants. You should have little reason to worry about them. They keep to themselves for the most part and if the Others again rise you can rely on their help." StoneFist sounded reluctant to talk more and Harry could tell the next subject was not something he was proud of. "The southerners often accuse us of monstrous crimes and most I can say are overwhelming falsehoods but sadly not cannibalism. In a land of so little food during the harsh winters many have starved and eaten their fellow men to survive, and some get a taste for their fellow men . These cannibals are shunned but they persist all the same although they are not particularly numerous you must never turn your back to them they will exploit any weakness and always hunger for flesh. On the other side of the coast cannibal tribes are quite common and commonly live along the rivers. You will most likely eventually come to blows with them due to their tendency to eat travelers. The last constant are the Kings-beyond-the-wall ever since Joramun the first to unite the free folk many ambitious chief's have donned this title. Their intention is almost always to invade southwards beyond the wall usually before a harsh winter hoping for greener lands. They have never succeeded but either way in the end they don't die of cold and hunger." Here StoneFist trailed off laughing morosely. "Most of the Free folk are more fluid however some are aggressive, some are happy to trade, and some even align themselves with those south of the wall. However you can always rely upon them to follow the old ways. If you welcome them as guests they shall do you no harm and you can trust them to always tell the truth." StoneFist finished. From what Harry had learned he decided he rather liked the old ways being rather sick of Slytherin schemes. "This might be little information in the grand scheme of things StoneFist but it is beyond helpful. Never think I don't appreciate you staying here to advise me" Harry said, thanking the chief. "There is one last thing you must always remember: Harry, the Free Folk respect strength. If you want to avoid confrontation you must make them respect your prowess." StoneFist warned. Harry wasn't particularly looking forward to the harsh acts he would have to commit but he understood that it must be done. "I understand StoneFist and I promise you I will make Hardhome great again." Harry then flew back to his rooms on his ship. It was time to plan out the reconstruction of Hardhome.